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Funeral for Mountainside teacher who died following Linden hit-and-run set for Friday

Meghan Crilly, a Mountainside elementary school teacher who died last week after being critically injured Jan. 20 by a hit-and-run driver in Linden, is being remembered by her friend as a 'bubbly, smiling" young woman who loved her job and her students.

FANWOOD - Meghan Crilly, a Mountainside elementary school teacher who died last week after being critically injured Jan. 20 by a hit-and-run driver in Linden, is being remembered by her friend as a 'bubbly, smiling" young woman who loved her job and her students.

"She was happy-go-lucky, sunny," said Meghan Whalen of the Fords section of Woodbridge, who has been friends with Crilly since they attended different Woodbridge high schools.

"She was always on the go, very determined, hard-working and a kind person," said Whalen, who met Crilly through mutual friends when she was student at Woodbridge High School and Crilly was at J.F. Kennedy High School in the township's Iselin section where Crilly grew up.

Whalen said Crilly had goals and plans.

"She made everyone laugh. She brought life into a room," she said. "She was a very healthy young woman. She tried to live life to the fullest."

A funeral mass for Crilly will be held 11 a.m. Friday at St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, 420 Inman Ave., in the Colonia section of Woodbridge.

Visitation will be held 2 p.m. to 9 p.m Thursday at the Lehrer-Gibilisco Funeral Home, 275 W. Milton Ave., Rahway.

Whalen said Crilly taught second grade at Beechwood Elementary School. She said Crilly had worked at the school for several years. She said Crilly wanted to "touch the lives of little kids."

"Her kids loved her," Whalen said.

Whalen said Crilly also loved her dog, Louie.

"I have the dog," Whalen said. "He's good, an on-the-go dog. It's like having her in dog form."

"She (Crilly) left big shoes to fill and a hole in hearts," Whalen said.

Meghan Crilly(Photo: ~Courtesy of Meghan Whalen)

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made in memory of Meghan Crilly to the Sharing Network Foundation, 691 Central Ave., New Providence, NJ 07974, or the Associated Humane Society, 2960 Shafto Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753, according to the obituary.

"Her organs will be donated to allow her light and love to shine in others," according to the GoFundMe page set up to help pay for her medical and funeral expenses.

At about 1:55 a.m., Jan. 20, Crilly was struck by a vehicle traveling south on Wood Avenue in the area of St. Georges Avenue. The vehicle then fled traveling south on North Wood Avenue. Whalen had been out with Crilly the night of the crash.

"Cook Up a Storm" will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27, at South Brunswick Public Library, 110 Kingston Lane, in the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick. ~Courtesy of South Brunswick Public Library

Classes will begin Saturday, Feb. 9, for the Saturday Academy, a free academic enrichment program offered by Plainfield Public Schools at Plainfield High School. ~Courtesy of Plainfield Public Schools District

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The hit-and-run crash remains under investigation by the Linden Police Department Traffic Bureau and the Union County Homicide Task Force. In addition, Union County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.

The suspect vehicle is believed to be a red 2014 or 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, possibly with tinted windows and a sun roof. The vehicle also may have front end damage, particularly to the lower grille area.